President Donald Trump signs a proclamation after he delivered a statement on Jerusalem from the Diplomatic Reception Room of the White House on Dec. 6. (SAUL LOEB/AFP/Getty Images)

VietPress USA (Dec. 6th, 2017): During his election, Trump promised to relocate the U.S. embassy from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem. Jordan’s King Abdullah told U.S. President Donald Trump on Tuesday that any move by the United States to declare Jerusalem the capital of Israel would have “dangerous repercussions” for regional stability. It would also inflame Muslim and Christian feelings, he said.The armed Palestinian resistance group Hamas also has warned against U.S. plans to relocate the its embassy to Jerusalem and recognize the city as Israel’s capital.

This “would represent a U.S. assault on the city and give legitimacy to Israel over the city,” Hamas said in a statement on Dec.

But President Donald Trump announced Wednesday the U.S. formally recognizes Jerusalem as Israel's capital. "It is time to officially recognize Jerusalem as the capital of Israel," Trump said during a news conference at the White House.

Trump said his announcement was the "beginning of a new approach to conflict between Israel and the Palestinians."

Presidents Bill Clinton, George W. Bush, and Barack Obama used waivers to postpone the move for six-month periods, citing national security interests.

“After more than two decades of waivers, we are no closer to a lasting peace agreement,” Trump said.

Trump vowed during the presidential race that he would move the U.S. embassy to Jerusalem.

Trump signed a six-month waiver in June, but did not issue a new one earlier this week.

President Donald Trump prays at the Western wall in Jerusalem on May 22, 2017. (RONEN ZVULUN/AFP/Getty Images)

The 1995 act has widespread bipartisan support in Congress. The act was reaffirmed by a unanimous vote in the Senate six months ago.“The president has been clear on this issue from the get-go that it’s not a matter of if, but a matter of when,” said White House deputy press secretary Hogan Gidley on Dec. 4.

Trump said that architects and planners would be hired immediately to start work on the new U.S. embassy in Jerusalem. It is unclear at this point when the embassy is expected to be completed.

Israel was first recognized as a sovereign state by President Harry Truman in 1948. However, the United States had never officially recognized Jerusalem as its capital.

Trump said the decision to recognize Jerusalem as the capital did not reflect a change in America’s position on peace talks between Israel and the Palestinians.

Trump said that specific boundaries of Israeli sovereignty in Jerusalem are subject to final negotiations. He also called for the status quo to remain in effect at the Temple Mount, also known as Haram al-Sharif.

Netanyahu said there would be no change to the status quo and that “Israel will always ensure freedom of worship for Jews, Christians, and Muslims alike.”

Trump said he is prepared to support a two-state solution if agreed to by the parties.

“Above all, our hope is for peace,” he said.

Trump called “for calm, for moderation, and for the voices of tolerance to prevail over the purveyors of hate.”

Jared Kushner, White House adviser and son-in-law of the president, has traveled to the region several times while working with the Palestinians and Israel on a peace plan.